Connecting-with-Spirit-Through-Meditation

Contacting Spirit

One of the ways that you can connect with and explore spirit is through meditation. The “I” of spirit is accessible through looking inward. Without some kind of training it is very difficult to experience our ground of Being, our true nature. All of the great religious traditions have developed and honed methods for looking within. The following is a brief description of one method to begin this journey of inner exploration.

A Simple Meditation

1. Sit on a chair, mat, or bench so that you have a stable base. If you are in a chair, both feet are on the ground with your hands on your knees, palms up or down. If you sit on a cushion, your rear is raised by the cushion and your knees are on the mat. Your back is straight but not rigid, your shoulders are relaxed, and your chin is slightly tucked in. Your tongue is resting behind your front teeth and touching the top of your mouth. Your eyes can be either slightly open with a soft gaze or closed. You can experiment to see what works best for you.

2. Count your breaths silently to yourself from one to ten. You can either count both inhalations and exhalations or just exhalations. The breath is like a rope to help to keep you in the present moment. If you lose count—and it is very likely you will—just gently start again at one.

3. Try not to move during your meditation. For example, if your nose starts to itch, watch the itch rather than scratch it. It will change and eventually disappear just like all phenomena.

4. Try to sit for at least five minutes—more if you are able—every day for a week. Set a timer (on your cell phone, the microwave oven, etc.) so you do not have to pay attention to the time.

Practice, Practice, Practice

This daily practice strengthens your spiritual muscle just as playing the piano daily increases skill. As the New York City taxi driver said to the musician when asked how to get to Carnegie Hall: “practice, practice, practice.”

This practice strengthens your ability to concentrate. Being able to count from one to ten without losing count for five minutes is an accomplishment because we often get lost in our thoughts and get distracted from the present moment. Since everyone will lose count—and therefore lose contact with the present moment—the important part is waking up and coming back over and over and over.

While the growing ability to concentrate takes effort, particularly in the beginning, the awareness of having lost count is effortless. Awareness of the contents of your mind as well as of sounds, sights, smells, and sensations is effortless. Developing concentration allows growing awareness. The benefits of this practice are many and if done consistently will transform your life.

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Connecting With Spirit - Transform Your Life